The preservation of mahramiyyah (permissibility) in medical examinations has always been a challenging issue from the perspective of fiqh (Islamic jurisprudence). This matter becomes particularly significant in cases where medical necessities conflict with religious rulings. This analytical-research study, with a comparative approach, was conducted to provide a new framework to establish a balance between medical necessities and fiqh rulings. First, the theoretical foundations and research background were first extracted using reliable library sources, fiqh texts, and scholarly medical books and articles. Sources were searched in the following databases: PubMed, Scopus, Web of Science, Scientific Information Database (SID), Magiran, NoorMags, the Computer Research Center of Islamic Sciences (Noor), and the Comprehensive Jurisprudence Database. The keywords used included “Medical Mahramiyyah,” “Medical Fiqh,” “Medical Necessity,” “Non-Same-Sex Examination,” “Patient Privacy,” “Islamic Telemedicine,” and “Medical Religious Rulings” in Persian, English, and Arabic. Selected sources spanning the period during 1981-2024 were evaluated. The inclusion criteria comprised direct relevance to the topic, peer review, and appropriate content quality. The exclusion criteria included irrelevance to the topic, non-peer reviewed, replicate sources, studies with low quality or without valid data, public or news reports lacking scientific basis. Ultimately, 37 sources were selected and analyzed based on thematic analysis and fiqh deductive reasoning to identify common principles and points of conflict between the fiqh data and medical requirements. Emerging challenges in medical fields, such as telemedicine, were also evaluated. Although the primary principle in Shia fiqh is the prohibition of looking at (except for the face and hands up to the wrist) and touching a person of the opposite sex, whether for treatment or otherwise, there is a consensus among faqihs (Islamic jurists) that, in cases of necessity, this principle is suspended. As a result, examinations requiring touching and looking, even of the genitals, by a physician of the opposite sex are permissible. In both fiqh and medicine, necessity is defined as an urgent need for treatment or medical procedures that, if not performed, could lead to a serious threat to the patient's health. However, some faqihs, based on the rational rule of “Irtikāb Aqall al-Qabīḥayn” (committing the lesser of the two detestable things), deem direct touch and direct viewing to fall under the primary prohibition in instances where telemedicine and indirect examinations suffice for the aforementioned necessity. This research offers practical solutions to maximize the preservation of mahramiyyah in medical examinations, aiming to improve the quality of medical services in Islamic societies while adhering to religious principles.
 

Background and Objective: The co-infection of tuberculosis (TB) and coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) presents a significant global health challenge. Golestan Province is considered one of the most important hubs for TB. This study was conducted to simultaneously evaluate the clinical epidemiology of TB and COVID-19 in patients admitted to the Fifth Azar Educational-Therapeutic Center in Gorgan, Iran.
Methods: This retrospective, descriptive-analytical study was performed on 22 patients (12 men and 10 women) with active or old TB and COVID-19 admitted to the Fifth Azar Educational-Therapeutic Center in Gorgan, Iran, during 2020-2022. Clinical data and real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) results were extracted from patients’ records in the hospital. These data, encompassing nasopharyngeal swab specimens from the upper respiratory tract, as well as tracheal aspirate specimens, were compiled into a checklist format.
Results: Of the 22 patients, 13 were deceased and 9 recovered. Patient hospitalization wards included the intensive care unit (ICU) (36%), respiratory isolation (36%), surgery (4.5%), and infectious diseases (23%). All patients ICU-admitted (100%) were in the deceased group (P<0.05). The clinical symptom of dyspnea was present in all 13 deceased patients (P<0.05). Laboratory results showed that alanine transaminase (ALT) and blood urea nitrogen (BUN) values were significantly higher in the deceased group than in the recovered group (P<0.05). Hematological indices, including white blood cell (WBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb), hematocrit (Hct), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC), were significantly higher in the recovered group compared to the deceased group (P<0.05).
Conclusion: The probability of death is higher in patients with TB and COVID-19 co-infection who experience dyspnea, require ICU admission, and have increased ALT and BUN laboratory values.
 

Excessive weight gain during pregnancy is recognized as a global epidemic and is associated with complications, such as gestational diabetes. While a healthy diet and regular physical activity positively influence weight control and overall well-being, in-person consultations can be costly and time-consuming. The use of digital technologies, particularly smartphones, has increased for delivering lifestyle interventions and improving well-being. These technologies provide affordable access to health services for pregnant women, especially those in remote areas. This narrative review was conducted to evaluate the effect of telehealth on weight control and the promotion of a healthy lifestyle among pregnant women. A search was performed in the PubMed, Google Scholar, and Scopus databases. Of the 631 initial articles published during 2020-2024,
15 were selected and evaluated after excluding irrelevant articles, review articles, and those without full texts. The selected articles showed that mobile health (mHealth) could improve indicators, such as weight, body mass index (BMI), maternal and infant health, and lifestyle. However, certain limitations, including access issues, cultural barriers, and fluctuations in service quality, impacted their effectiveness. Based on the findings of these articles, it is suggested that personalized interventions be designed with continuous consultations and daily reminders. Forming virtual groups and providing timely feedback can strengthen the sense of belonging and promote adherence. These strategies are valuable for telehealth clinics and online counseling programs.
 

Background and Objective: Vitamin D deficiency is highly prevalent among obese individuals, with multiple underlying mechanisms contributing to this condition. This study aimed to determine the combined effects of high-intensity interval training (HIIT) and vitamin D supplementation on the levels of inflammatory markers, transforming growth factor beta 1 (TGF-β1) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α), in young women with vitamin D deficiency.
Methods: In this clinical trial, 39 sedentary women with vitamin D deficiency were randomly assigned to three groups: A control group, a HIIT-based running group, and a combined group (training + vitamin D). The training program included 12 one-minute repetitions of running at 80% to 90% of maximum heart rate (HRmax) and one minute of active rest at 50% HRmax, performed three sessions per week. Vitamin D supplementation was used weekly at a dose of 50,000 IU. TGF-β1 and TNF-α levels were measured and compared before and after the intervention.
Results: After 8 weeks of HIIT-based running, with and without vitamin D supplementation, the levels of inflammatory markers, TGF-β1 and TNF-α, showed a statistically significant decrease compared to the control group (P<0.05). The mean percentage change in TGF-β1 and TNF-α was also significantly greater in the combined group than in the training group without vitamin D supplementation (P<0.05).
Conclusion: Following 8 weeks of HIIT-based running, both inflammatory markers, TGF-β1 and TNF-α decreased in the study subjects, and this reduction was more pronounced in the vitamin D-receiving group.

Background and Objective: Chlamydia, a zoonotic bacterial agent, is a major concern for both human and avian public health. This bacterium belongs to the family Chlamydiaceae, with 11 identified species. The Chlamydia psittaci (C. psittaci) species is shared between animal hosts and humans. Ornamental birds are among the hosts of C. psittaci. This bacterium causes respiratory and gastrointestinal problems in these birds. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of chlamydial infection in ornamental birds in Urmia, Iran.
Methods: This descriptive study was conducted on 60 fecal swabs collected from 60 ornamental birds in Urmia. Giemsa staining and molecular polymerase chain reaction (PCR) testing, using genus-specific primers to amplify a 580-base pair (bp) fragment of the ompA gene, were performed on the samples.
Results: The Chlamydia molecule was detected in 11.7% of budgerigars with gastrointestinal symptoms and in 5.88% of apparently healthy budgerigars. Additionally, the infection was detected in 11.11% of cockatiels, 14.28% of mynahs, 20% of canaries, and 11.11% of finches, but not in other species.
Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate the presence of the Chlamydia bacterium in ornamental birds in Urmia, which can be considered a source of infection for gastrointestinal diseases.